Pain Medication Management

If you’re one of the many who are living with chronic pain, we have some important news: Pain specialists of today have developed sophisticated and effective new treatments, in the form of drugs with implants and electrical stimulation for chronic pain relief.

In the past several years, the researchers have been working extensively and have been successful in understanding chronic pain and how it develops inside the system, thus giving rise to many medical advances. The concluded theory suggests that of many origins, sports injuries, back injuries, car accidents, or health conditions like migraines, diabetes, arthritis, shingles, and cancer considerably elevate pain symptoms.

There are many OTC (Over-The-Counter) prescription and non prescription medications helpful in relieving pain and other related symptoms from the system. It’s imperative to offer careful attention to pain management for a successful recovery, as any measures of negligence could lead to depression, insomnia and obstruction in handling everyday tasks, including walking, exercising and stretching, all of which may prolong a painful back condition in the long run.

Let’s break down the types of pain medications:

Pain reliever:  These are generally available in three forms:

Oral: These pain medications are taken by mouth – in the form of pill, or liquid form. Each has a different effect and posses unique benefits. Since, they come with potential risks; Oral pain medications are available only by prescription

Topical: These products include creams, lotions, or sprays and are applied to the skin to reduce localized pain, including sore muscles or, pain from an arthritis. Some popular brands are Icy Hot, Arthricare, Zostrix (capsaicin), Aspercreme, Ben Gay.

Injections: They consist of pain relieving medication and/or anti-inflammatory medications and can be directly delivered to the course of the pain.

OTC pain relievers include Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Aspirin-Free Excedrin) and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, Motrin and Advil, or naproxen, Aleve and Naprosyn.

NSAIDs and acetaminophen are used to reduce fever and relieve pain that is caused by muscle aches and stiffness. While NSAIDs work effectively by decreasing the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances responsible for chronic pain, Acetaminophen are known to work on the parts inside the brain and block the signals of “pain messages.” However, only NSAIDs can actually reduce inflammation.

Prescription pain relievers include Corticosteroids, Opioids, Antidepressants, Anticonvulsants.

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone ease swelling, redness, itching and allergic reactions and consequently provide relief for inflamed areas of the body. They are

generally available in the form of pills or injections and can used to eradicate pain emerging due to allergies, asthma and arthritis. However, one must remember that these Prescription corticosteroids could bring serious side effects and must be taken in the lowest dose possible.

Opioids, such as Morphine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Codeine contain natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic opiates and are used to treat acute pain.

Antidepressants adjust levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and increase the availability of body signals for well-being and relief from pain conditions.  The drugs require a steady dose of the medicine over a period of time to work inside the body. Some Antidepressant medications include Antidepressantcitalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, imipramine (Tofranil), and nortriptyline (Pamelor).

Anticonvulsants drugs treat seizure disorders and some other symptoms of pain as well by minimizing the effects of nerves that cause pain. Arbamazepine (egretol), gabapentin (Neurontin), and pregabalin (Lyrica) are some examples.

All the drugs mentioned above may be well tolerated but they bring some serious side-effects. In order to know if any of the pain medications should work on you, please visit Chicago Pain Center.

The pain clinic Chicago houses Double Board Certified specialists and offer cutting edge options with highest success rates.